Given:
x: [1 2 3 4 5 6 7]
y: [9 9.5 10.25 11.25 12.5 14 15.75]
Let the function which models the data be
y(x) = ax² + bx + c
Apply the function to the first three data points
a + b + c = 9 .(1)
4a + 2b + c = 9.5 (2)
9a + 3b + c = 10.25 (3)
Subtract (1) from (2).
3a + b = 0.5
or
b = 0.5 - 3a (4)
Subtract (1) from (3).
8a + 2b = 1.25 (5)
Substitute (4) into (5).
8a + 2(0.5 - 3a) = 1.25
2a = 0.25
a = 0.125
From (4),
b = 0.5-3*0.125 = 0.125
From (1),
c = 9 - 0.125 - 0.125 = 8.75
The function is
y = 8.75 + 0.125x + 0.125x²
Check that the function works for x=4,5,6,7.
From the calculator, obtain
y(4) = 11.25 Correct
y(5) = 12.5 Correct
y(6) = 14 Correct
y(7) = 15.75 Correct
The graph of the function is shown below.
Answer: y = 8.75 + 0.125x + 0.125x²